Priests and national guards together on the front line – The dual mission of two clergymen in the "MINOAS 2026" exercisetranslated

A different picture, full of symbolism, was hidden by the "MINOAS 2026" exercise that took place on Thursday morning in Arkadi. Among the National Guardsmen who participated, two men with a distinct dual status: they are priests, but at the same time they serve in the National Guard, training to protect the homeland and citizens. The revelation came at the end of the exercise, when the participants gathered for the family photo. Two national guardsmen took off the full face masks they were wearing and introduced themselves to the Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias. His surprise was great when he found that they were both priests. The minister talked to them, congratulated them on their offer, even revealing that he is also the grandson of a priest, while he also offered them a commemorative gift.

https://www.orthodoxianewsagency.gr/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/aqpk-2cseq60fp8c-nrjdzqr11zpvzrnwgijur-gzm2-pkyviyw3e-auhcak1myimu6z9bt5ekusqw8-soyjsmn-8y69inipe0vorss7sa.mp4 Father Panagiotis Papadakis is a priest in Pangalochori Rethymnon, but also a non-commissioned officer, commando parachutist and sniper of the Special Forces. As he told ertnews about himself, there is no…